Bible for Children presents JESUS FEEDS 5000 PEOPLE

Written by: Edward Hughes Illustrated by: Janie Forest Adapted by: Ruth Klassen Produced by: Bible for Children www.M1914.org ©2009 Bible for Children, Inc. License: You have the right to copy or print this story, as long as you do not sell it.

Many religious leaders (called Pharisees) told lies about Jesus.

Some even tried to kill him.

They did not believe He was really God's Son.

They did not accept Him even though He did miracles which proved He is God's Son.

One day, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee One day, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee. Perhaps He wanted a little break from the crowds which always gathered around Him.

But the crowds soon found Him. They knew Jesus did great miracles. They wanted to be with Him.

Jesus led His disciples to a deserted mountain spot where He sat, teaching.

More and more people kept coming. Soon it was suppertime. Everybody must have been hungry.

Jesus looked at the crowd. "Where shall we buy bread that these may eat?" He asked Philip.

There were no food stores around. What was Jesus planning to do?

"It would cost a fortune to feed this crowd," Philip answered Jesus "It would cost a fortune to feed this crowd," Philip answered Jesus. Jesus and His disciples did not have much money.

Another disciple, Andrew (Simon Peter's brother) said to Jesus: "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, …"

". but what are they among so many "... but what are they among so many?" Andrew didn't see how the little boy's lunch could feed very many people - even if the boy were willing to give his lunch to Jesus.

Jesus said, "Make the people sit down Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

Wow! FIVE THOUSAND! That didn't even include the women and children who were there also.

Next, Jesus took the loaves and fish. The little boy must have trusted Jesus. He didn't know why Jesus wanted his lunch, or what Jesus would do with it.

He may have thought, "If I give my lunch away, I can't eat." But he gave it to Jesus anyway.

Then, Jesus prayed. He gave thanks to God. For five loaves and two fish? Yes! Jesus said "Thank You" to God and asked Him to bless the food.

After praying, Jesus broke the loaves and fishes and gave them to the disciples who shared them among the great crowd.

That's when people saw the miracle Jesus did That's when people saw the miracle Jesus did. Each person ate all he wanted. Yet the loaves and fishes weren't used up.

After everybody was fed, there was still a lot of bread and fish left over. "Gather up the fragments so that nothing is lost," Jesus told the disciples.

They filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.

That day, Jesus fed over 5000 people with a little boy's lunch That day, Jesus fed over 5000 people with a little boy's lunch. Another time, He fed over 4000 people with seven loaves and a few fish.

When ordinary people saw these signs, they weren't angry like the Pharisees. Instead they said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world."

They knew Jesus was the Savior Whose coming was promised in God's holy Word.

A story from God's Word, the Bible, is found in John 6 Jesus Feeds 5000 People A story from God's Word, the Bible, is found in John 6 "The entrance of Your Words gives light." Psalm 119:130

The End

This Bible story tells us about our wonderful God who made us and who wants us to know Him. God knows we have done bad things, which He calls sin. The punishment for sin is death, but God loves us so much He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on a Cross and be punished for our sins. Then Jesus came back to life and went home to Heaven! If you believe in Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sins, He will do it! He will come and live in you now, and you will live with Him forever.

If you want to turn from your sins, say this to God: Dear God, I believe that Jesus died for me and now lives again. Please come into my life and forgive my sins, so that I can have new life now, and one day go to be with You forever. Help me to live for You as Your child. Amen. Read the Bible and talk with God every day! John 3:16